As many of you know, I’ve been is Sydney for over 7 months now, and for most of that time, I’ve been living in one place in what we’ve come to describe as a very ‘transient’ house. People usually only stay here for 2 to 3 months and move on. However, 2 of us have been here for a lot longer than that. Until now…

Unfortunately, Sarah has now gone back to her family in the USA, leaving me here, pondering my future in the Lavender House – that’s our other name for it. During her time here. we’ve become very good friends, and have made each other’s experience’s here something that we’ll remember forever.

I admit. we have had our ups and downs, but whenever we’ve needed someone to talk to, we’ve always turned to each other. It’s kind of strange not having her here now, and I half expect (hope) that she’ll walk through the door any day now. But, despite all my trying, I don’t think that will happen. You see, here experiences of Sydney have been slightly jaded by her university, that seems to have gone out of it’s way to take money from her, make it as difficult as possible for her to get anything done. Then there’s the fact that it’s an hour from the CBD – so 3 hours of traveling for her a day.

Then there’s the weather. I’m going to let out a little secret here… The weather in Sydney’s not as great as the brochure’s let on. It’s been very cold at times, with the biggest temperature swings) I’ve ever know. It can be 30 degrees one day, then 14 the next (it went to 8 once).

But, the times we’ve had here have been some of the best of my life. We’ve had many parties in the house – and it stayed intact. We started cooking together, and I think we’re now both much better in the kitchen for it – although there was my incident with chocolate powder re-decorating the kitchen, and she does still occasionally burn things. Our wanderings around town, and the close group of friends we’ve been lucky enough to make.

So, it’s with a tear in my eye that I finish this blog, and say farewell to a very close friend. I hope we’ll always stay close, and get the chance to live together again in the future. Thank you Sarah.

Links
Sarah’s leaving present

It’s always been a dream of mine to see U2 live in concert. And, when they announced they were playing an extra night at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium, I managed to get hold of some tickets. My dream was coming true.

So, accompanied by my friend Heather, we went and saw the most amazing show I’ve ever seen! Kanye West was the supporting act – I will confess, Heather had to tell me who he was… But when he started singing, I instantly recognized the songs. I did think that he was a slightly odd artist to start the performance, but he a big supporter of the make poverty history movement.

And then U2 came on… Wow! They lived up to all my expectations! And the light show was simply phenomenal. Well, if you can call it a light show. It was more like a giant TV screen, dancing to the music, showing the band members and other imagery.

But the highlight was the music. The new stuff was great, but when the all time classics such as “Where the streets have no name” and “With or without you came on”, you just felt a tingle run through your body! It was a night neither of use will forget in a hurry!

If you ever get the chance to see U2 live, do not turn it down!

Links
Make Poverty History
Official U2 Website